BIRCHWOOD LANE ADVISORY, LLC
Independent advisory and expert fiduciary services designed for fiduciaries, family offices, and their advisors
Independent advisory and expert fiduciary services designed for fiduciaries, family offices, and their advisors
Erica founded Birchwood Lane in response to requests from clients and advisors seeking independent guidance on the practical, non-legal aspects of trust management, family office governance, and fiduciary risk oversight.
After the estate plan is in place, the family office is established, or the private trust company is formed, added guidance is often needed to implement best practices and oversee operations. Additionally, family offices increasingly seek independent oversight of private trust company boards and committees to ensure sound risk management.
In addition to bespoke trustee and family office consulting, Birchwood Lane offers expert fiduciary services to advisors navigating fiduciary disputes.
Birchwood Lane does not manage or sell investments, does not sell insurance, and does not provide tax or legal advice.
With over 20 years in the business of fiduciary services and wealth management, working with many of the world's most sophisticated families, Erica is uniquely situated to help trustees, families, family offices, trust companies, and their advisors implement best practices, refine governance, and execute on their fiduciary obligations.
EXPERIENCE
BNY Mellon Wealth Management (June 2022 to June 2025)
The Northern Trust Company (November 2010 to May 2022)
Reed Smith LLP (2004 to 2010; combined with Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd. in 2007);
Lord Bissell & Brook LLP
EDUCATION
The George Washington University, Washington, DC - J.D. with honor 2002
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI - B.A. with high honor 1996
AFFILIATIONS
PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

It is not uncommon for individual trustees and trust companies to accept fiduciary appointments without fully understanding the significant duties imposed on them. Increasingly, trustees face beneficiary challenges that can easily develop into costly disputes. We help individual trustees and trust companies develop processes designed to meet their fiduciary obligations and manage risk.

Family offices, multi-family offices, and wealth advisory firms are increasingly seeking a partner to advise on good governance, risk management, and operational oversight. Because we do not sell or manage investments or other products, we can provide clients with objective and independent advice designed to guide sound decisions and enhance family resiliency.

While Birchwood Lane does not provide legal advice, past experience representing individual trustees, private trust companies, and large corporate fiduciaries makes us uniquely situated to provide independent, expert advice regarding trust management and compliance with fiduciary duties.
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